And then all the noise! All the noise noise noise...:)

Quote straight from the Grinch & captures our Christmas am 'cuz Mrs Claus somewhat lost her mind for a moment on E-bay & thought ok to display drum set & "wild" (aka electric) guitar in addition to mic/piano (latter = mini so Luke could participate in newly formed Parker Bros group). The set Cole rec'd on his 2nd b-day has lasted pretty well, but they had outgrown mere maracas:). Seriously all of 'em are pretty musically inclined thanks to their dad! They can dance too:

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In the meantime, we quickly learned that the guitar in particular is quite loud, has no "off" switch & really doesn't allow for musician to adapt recorded & fairly obnoxious riffs (I think that's the correct term?! obviously surpasses my random mos. attempting basic piano & royally screwing up my only recital). This is the sight that greeted them after visions of sugar plums danced in their heads--Went straight to the instruments & tried 'em out...Who needs Rock Band? But prob where they got half their moves:)
Actually music-making began on Christmas Eve with traditional chimes...Grandpa Gar is very patient with beginners! Also captured Luke's moment when he slipped away from fam to tickle the ivories prior to gift exch.



















Felt more harmonious to have all Shaw girls home for first time in a few years-thanks for sharing Uffens/Bergesons!! For me, not same holidays without whole fam together despite changing dynamics-- "Christmas doesn't come from a store...Maybe Christmas this year means a little bit more!!"
Even if it meant Luke had to share BaPa with his cousin Paige, who is 3 wks younger:) They are very fond of MahMa too (unsure re: proper phonetic spelling, but rest assured diff emph than regular requests for Momma:) per Luke @ least-By the looks on their faces, either presents are serious business when you're 1 y.o. or very likely past their bedtimes:)Once back to our humble abode overnight, I followed the boys' lead this year & let 'em stop to unload their stockings as they came down the stairs vs saving 'em for afterward. Luke knew right what to do with candy, but thought unwrapping was highly overrated-nothing wrong with a litle foil in your chocolate:)














While Luke not pictured with his stash, I promise that he rec'd more than his one token gift last year. For all of 'em, it's obvious that Santa never disappoints thanks to a lot of generous elves in '09!!


















Perhaps you don't care, but to be thorough photo journalist...other fav gifts for Parker boys incl 7-in-1 Bakugans (found @ great price & exclusively on E-bay, respectively) as well as preview to Disneyland trip in Feb with Shaw side!! Much easier to see Brooke and Uffens fly away when we know in 6 short wks we will be bonding again @ Magical Kingdom that Walt built!! I think I'm more excited than the boys once they realized magnitude 'cuz it's been 10 yrs since I was there & can't wait to experience through their eyes for the first time:) Fwiw, the reason Annie is holding that Elmo phone was 'cuz Grandpa announced the surprise on its record feature; however, since then you'd be surprised how much use that toy has gotten on its own @ our house...Don't know about your kids over vaca, but mine went from easily amused to terribly bored in seconds-ugh!














Last but not least to test your memory from previous post, older boys were very patient to save grand opening of Devastator until they were bonding up no. with their Dad rest o' Christmas Day!!